JOHN RICHARD WALLER
John Richard Waller, was born at Rockford, Illinois, October 28, 1841, the eldest son of Richard Miles and Eliza Jolly Waller, and died at Mercy hospital, Mason City, Iowa, April 29, 1929, following a stroke of apoplexy.
In 1856, when fifteen years of age he moved with his parents by wagon caravan, to the village of Freeman, later a part of Charles City. With his brothers and sisters he attended the public schools held in a building located where the Methodist Manse now stands, and also the Select School of the Misses Cheney.
From 1859 to 1861 he was a student at Upper Iowa University at Fayette and in 1861 and 1864 captained wagon trains of supplies to the outlying Army Posts in Wyoming and Montana, encountering many thrilling experiences dear to the heart of an adventurous young man. It was on this expedition he discovered oil bearing rock on a branch of Willow Creek, a tributary of Powder river in Johnson County, Wyoming, which was in later years owned and developed by the oil barons. He then engaged in mining, merchandising and agricultural pursuits in Montana territory until 1868 when he returned to Charles City dealing in land and livestock, being always especially interested in fine horse flesh.
Mr. Waller also was a successful teacher in the early schools of Floyd County having taught at Marble Rock and Rockford.
One January 9, 1870 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Stearns of Rockford, Iowa. Six children were born to them: Edwin Stearns, who passed away in 1890; Richard Ross living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mary Hortense who died in infancy; Wayne F., of Garner, Iowa; Oliver Randolph, a Spanish American war soldier, who died in 1898 and Helene Belle, wife of Dr W. R. McCray of Charles City.
During a period of twenty years Mr. Waller resided on a farm in Scott township with short residences in Charles City until 1891 when the family removed to Rockford, Iowa and lived on the homestead farm of Mrs. Waller until their removal to Charles City in 1910. Mrs. Waller passed away February 19, 1911, and Mr. Waller lived with his daughter for a time and a few years with his mother and sisters in the old home, now the Community House and later moved to Garner to be with his son, Wayne and family where he continued to reside.
Mr. Waller was an ardent student of nature, could identify all the wayside weeds stating their properties, also the native flowers and give their botanical names, knew every bird in this section, and was an authority on the geological formation of our country recognizing the various results of glacial action, etc., was especially interested in Indian lore and customs and began in 1861 on one of the most complete collections of relics and curios to be found outside Smithsonion Institute. He was instrumental in the establishment of the State Wild Life School held at McGregor, Iowa every summer and was a regular attendant often contributing to the interest of their programs. He also assisted in the inauguration of the project to preserve choice areas for State Parks and Game Preserves.
He was always interested in the affairs of the country, and participated in the progress of town, county and state, and was a ready and interesting speaker. being a very extensive reader, was a fluent writer contributing many articles to the press. Was for many years on active and enthusiastic member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies and State Historical Society.
Mr. Walters was a very active and vigorous man and continued so until the past two years, since which time he was in failing health being afflicted with deafness and loss of sight and was much enfeebled.
Surviving him are his two brothers, John Wesley and Warren Edwin and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Carr, all of this city, the elder sister, Mrs. Amanda Ellen Brackett preceding him in death in 1923. two sons and one daughter before mentioned and eight grandchildren: Evelyn, Richard, Miles, Douglas, Jack and Virginia Waller and Robert and Mary McCray.
The funeral was held from the Lindaman Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 1st at two o'clock with the Rev. Thomas Anderson, pastor of the Congregational church in charge assisted by the Rev. G. Hess, a dear friend for a number of years of Mrs. Waller, paid a beautiful and fitting tribute to this pioneer who fearless and unafraid stood by his convictions. The two sons and four Waller grandsons bore the casket to the final resting place in beautiful Riverside beside Mrs. Waller on the family lot.
Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.